Hopeless romantic, I think, usually means someone who can't help but feel romantic. To me, hopeless romantic is being romantic in a hopelessly unromantic life. :/
I have been playing this song over and over in my head. Found info about Holding back the years, I would share. Makes the song even sadder. The song is thought to be inspired by Mick's family and upbringing. His mother left the family when he was just three. It was this upheaval that inspired him to write the song. The lyrics "Strangled by the wishes of pater (father), hoping for the arms of mater (mother)" particularly reflect this.